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| GUESS |
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Currently Guess has 425 stores in North American and 690 stores internationally. The economy is forcing Guess to curtail its growth plans both domestically and abroad, but international expansion is clearly a top priority. Of the 72 store openings last year, 57 were outside of the United States. Current plans call for 126 news stores throughout Asia and Europe. In addition to the traditional Guess store concept, Guess Inc. also operates Guess Factory, Guess by Marciano, G by Guess, and Guess Accessories. Both the Guess stores and G by Guess target 4,500 square foot locations.
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| www.guess.com |
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| ABERCROMBIE & FITCH |
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The company began its global push 3 years ago when it established a group to oversee international development. A&F's first international stores opened in Toronto and Edmonton, Canada that year. Further expansion took A&F to the UK last year with its first London location, followed by the first Hollister Co. in the UK earlier this year. A&F will be debuting new locations in Copenhagen, Tokyo, and Milan and the company recently received approval to open along Paris' famed Champs-Elyseés in 2011. They continue to eye Europe and Asia for expansion.
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| www.abercrombie.com |
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| TIFFANY & CO. |
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| Of 114 of 184 stores, more than 60% of Tiffany & Co.'s store count is international. Tiffany & Co. announced it will open its first location in Amsterdam later this year and called it another indication of their optimism about long term growth potential in Europe. At 54% of sales, domestic stores generate a greater share of revenues. The 17% decline in same-store-sales last year among U.S. stores will only further erode Tiffany's domestic expansion. The company's new international plans include seven new stores in Asia and single new units in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. |
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| www.tiffany.com |
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| KRISPY KREME |
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Krispy Kreme has 449 stores, with 75% operating as franchises. Their domestic expansion and evolving consumer preferences are forcing Krispy Kreme to look overseas for growth. By the end of 2009, the majority of openings will be outside the U.S. Recent financials show a 23% rise in revenue from overseas, while domestic revenues are down 8%. The franchise has now entered 15 countries and expects to open 50 locations this year, targeting 75 locations by 2013 in China, Malaysia, and Turkey alone. The company is also tailoring its offerings to appeal to local tastes.
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| www.krispykreme.com |
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| BEST BUY |
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Best Buy continues its U.S. expansion with plans for 90 to 100 new stores this year — longer range forecasts target an additional 500 locations within the U.S., on its way to 1,400 total units. The liquidation of its main rival, Circuit City, has opened opportunities. Best Buy, however, is also aggressively expanding penetration in Canada and China, adding 40 international locations this year. The company faces its stiffest competition in Europe, where UK-based Tesco and German retailer Metro are preparing for battle. Best Buy recently delayed its UK launch to reevaluate its competitive approach.
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| www.bestbuy.com |
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| STARBUCKS |
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While Starbucks is closing some U.S. locations, it is shifting its focus to international growth. The company sees China as one of its top priorities. It opened the first Starbucks in China in 1999, where its total store count is now 350. In an interview with Reuters, Starbucks Coffee International President, Martin Coles said the company's ambitions for expansion in China could rival its penetration of the United States. In addition, Starbucks has moved into eastern Europe, with new stores in Moscow and a 2009 expansion into St. Petersburg and Poland, with the Ukraine to likely follow.
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| www.starbucks.com |
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| GAP |
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As Gap closes some U.S. stores, it is opening 25 new international Gaps and 25 outlets. Many of the new outlet stores will be in Canada and Japan, while new Gaps and Banana Republics will open in the UK, Ireland, France, and Japan. One growth strategy is Gap's franchise efforts in emerging markets. Through a joint venture with a local partner, Elbit Imaging Ltd., Gap will debut in Israel this fall, with Banana Republic to follow spring 2010. Gap president Stephen Sunnucks said, "we believe that international growth remains an opportunity for our brands."
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| www.gap.com |
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| PAYLESS SHOESOURCE |
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With 4,500 stores, Payless is the largest footwear retailer in the Western hemisphere. In 2008 Payless expanded its South American presence by entering Columbia with 10 stores in a venture with local retail partner, Samuel Azout. Recently, the company made headlines by opening its first Middle East locations, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Under a franchise agreement with Middle Eastern retailing giant, M.H. Alshaya Co., Payless has an opportunity for more than 200 stores in the region. Expansion plans are on the horizon for the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.
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| www.payless.com |
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| AMERICAN APPAREL |
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| First entering Canada and Europe in 2004 and Asia in 2005, American Apparel expanded into six new countries last year, including China, Brazil, and Austria. They now operate in 29 countries and see their edgy, urban brand finding more synergy between international cities than with particular nationalities. Their target audience embodies globalization and their international teams are noted for their passion to build brand loyalty in the local markets. American Apparel has one of the few concepts weathering the economic downturn. Their international same-store-sales last year grew a remarkable 19% versus just 1% in the U.S. |
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| www.americanapparel.net |
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| APPLE |
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| Of Apple's 247 stores, non-U.S. locations represent 42, or less than 20%. Notoriously tight-lipped about its plans, Apple's stated goal for opening retail businesses is to expand its customer base through sales to consumers not currently owning the company's products. Apple's international market share has historically lagged its domestic presence, suggesting that international expansion could be fertile territory. Their focus on urban street retail and large regional malls is also in sync with most international markets. Apple typically takes 3,500–5,000 square feet, with flagships of 15,000–20,000 square feet that offer special services. |
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| www.apple.com |
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| FOREVER 21 |
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Forever 21 launched its first store in Los Angeles in 1984. Since then the brand has grown to over 430 stores. The bulk of these stores, however, remain in North America. As Forever 21 continues to evolve its brand domestically, it is moving aggressively into China, South Korea, and the Middle East. In late April, Forever 21 will have launched its first Japanese location. The 18,800 square foot, five-level store will have one level below grade and be located in Tokyo's trend-setting Harajuku retail district near name-recognized giants H&M and Gap.
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| www.forever21.com |
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| SKECHERS |
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| Skechers operates 250 stores globally and another 100 stores through various distribution partners. The company manages its brand under a variety of regional subsidiaries and has an extensive wholesale network that places its products in department and specialty stores in over 100 countries throughout Canada, Asia, Europe, and South America. This reach helps to expand brand recognition as new retail operations are opened globally. Recently, the company announced that it assumed the distribution of its brand in Chile and will take control of the 10 Chile retail stores directly through its 10th Skechers subsidiary. |
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| www.skechers.com |
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